Trump sparks new crisis with Meloni, says he took photo 'out of pity'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted furiously to claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that she had "begged" him for a photo during the G7 summit in Italy. Trump told a U.S. television correspondent that he had only spoken to Meloni out of pity and that she had pleaded with him for a picture.

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She probably is happy that I spoke to her, I was not obligated to speak to her.

Meloni, in a video posted on social media, called Trump's statements "totally invented" and expressed bewilderment at his behavior toward allies. She criticized his lack of determination against "enemies of the West" and suggested he was more condescending toward other leaders. "I can only say that I regret that he does not have the same determination with the enemies of the West," she stated, in a veiled jab at Trump's recent agreement with Iran.

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She begged me to take a picture with her, I felt sorry for her.

The Italian leader, her pride evidently wounded, concluded forcefully, "There is something that (Trump) must remember: I and Italy never begged." The incident caused Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani to cancel a trip to Miami, calling Trump's words "serious" and "offensive" to Italy. Other Italian politicians also condemned Trump's remarks, with one calling them "unjustified and unacceptable."

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Totally invented.